Table toppers wary of Wanderers

Following last week's 41-7 win over Ebbw Vale, Neath sit on top of the Principality Premiership but they will be put to the test by Glamorgan Wanderers at the Memorial Ground, Ely where they lost 3-20 last season.

Following last week’s 41-7 win over Ebbw Vale, Neath sit on top of the Principality Premiership but they will be put to the test by Glamorgan Wanderers at the Memorial Ground, Ely where they lost 3-20 last season.

The Welsh All Blacks play their sixth away match out of seven and they will be aiming to build on the momentum of an opening month spent largely on the road.

Neath are likely to make six changes with centre Stephen Thomas returning behind the scrum. Up front Ashleigh James, Peter Sidoli, Mike Collins, Lee Evans and Gareth Gravell reinforce the forward effort.

Prop Martin Jones makes his 50th appearance for Neath and will be joined on that landmark by Ed Shervington if the hooker comes off the bench.

Neath’s Patrick Horgan says: “Last week’s 41-7 win against Ebbw Vale was very important for us in that we got off to a winning start in front of our Gnoll fans in our only home game so far.

“The first month has gone largely to plan although we have missed players through injury so nearly all squad members have had a chance to push for selection and we have employed over 30 players and been able to look at different combinations.

“Glamorgan Wanderers had an excellent 37-33 win at Carmarthen last week. They have a solid pack, a very speedy back three, direct centres and an alert, clever pair of half-backs in Scott Sneddon and Harry Trelawney who merit close attention.

“We lost in midweek up there at possibly our lowest point of last season so we shall certainly not be under-estimating them. Richard Hodges and his coaching team work closely with the Blues set up and Wanderers always field competitive units so we fully realise that a stern task awaits us.

“We are very pleased with the level of support we are getting this season. We expect to take good support to the Memorial Ground as it is easily accessible for our “All Black Army” of followers.

The Wanderers will delay the naming of a side for tomorrow’s visit of Neath until a final team run through before the game.

There are several niggling injuries to key players that are being carried over from last week and coach Richard Hodges wants to give his players maximum time to recover. Definitely into the squad for the first time come ex Neath star James Richards as does James Hadfield who joined in the summer from Barry RFC. Tom Evans also returns to the squad.

Neath15
K.Morgan; 14 K.James, 13 S.Thomas, 12 G.King, 11 K.Phillips; 10 G.McCarthy, 9 K.Farrell 1 M.Jones, 2 A.James, 3 A.V.Lott; 4 M.Collins, 5 P.Sidoli; 6 L.Evans, 8 J.Bowd, 7 G.Gravell
Replacements from – R.Smith, A.Thomas, T.James, E.Shervington, J.Reeves, E.Evans, C.Price, A.Whitney

Glamorgan Wanderers
Backs from: Dan Fish, Rory Budina, Robin Lock, Charlie Johnson, Ryan Healey, Scott Sneddon, Harry Trelawny, Matt Trowbridge, Steve Cullen, Rhys Dyer.
Forwards from: Nathan Trevett, James Richards, Mark O’Leary, Tom Evans, Gareth Knight, Josh Navidi, Ben Rose, Richard Thomas, Lee Highgate, Scott Andrews, Iuean Dobbs, James Hadfield